who's a Mac?

[peggyfromwastate]

We have just had PC's-- I posted a while back asking about Macbooks, but DH decided to go with the much cheaper PC laptop that could do what he needs.

Now our PC desktop is dying. I don't know why, but it's always been funky. It hasn't even been slammed with viruses or anything- but it has a wierd surge on hub port thing that somehow is linked to some Microsoft service pack... It's strange.

But the time has come to try to salvage this computer by disconnecting it from the internet. Now it will become *the kids computer* until they kill it completely.

DH wants to get an iMac, which surprised me since he refused to spend the money on a MacBook...

It will be the computer I will use for everything, mostly I will have to keep my pictures and basic files on it, but the main thing we'll use it for is for the internet.

So, are there any tips or suggestions as to what specific options we should get? Or is anything good? And do you like the keyboard? It seems so wierd to me...

[DCJenn]

The keyboard is exactly like a PCP keyboard, except that you use the 'COMMAND' button vs. the Control button for shortcuts.

I've been a Mac girl since 1984 except for one ill-fated Dell that we nearly threw out the window.

It's picture capabilities are amazing and pretty much everything else rocks, too.

Jenn

[SuzySunshine]

I love my Mac - DH and I both have laptops, the keyboard does take some getting used to but I LOVE it!

[Pollyanna]

I've been a Mac girl since 1984 except for one ill-fated Dell that we nearly threw out the window.

Me too! Macs are the BEST!!

[Tenacious_D]

I had been a PC girl my whole life (DH as well). We got an iMac and I am in LOVE!!! Wouldn't change a thing...I have become a movie, photo editing freak thanks to the easy software.

[Sheherezade]

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

[Deebs]

We switched to Mac during med school (so maybe 7 years ago), and LOVE it (we are currently operating three). My biggest advice would be to play with it. Any differences you will get used to really quickly if you actually use it. We have gotten almost our entire family to switch. My in-laws used to call us with questions, but soon realized for a minimal fee they could take classes at the Apple store. This has helped them tremendously. If you have an Apple store close, it might be a good idea.

[peggyfromwastate]

The keyboard is exactly like a PCP keyboard, except that you use the 'COMMAND' button vs. the Control button for shortcuts.

I've been a Mac girl since 1984 except for one ill-fated Dell that we nearly threw out the window.

It's picture capabilities are amazing and pretty much everything else rocks, too.

Jenn

I thought the keyboard was some shiny thing that you roll up? Is that not the standard keyboard?

Anyway, we're going to go to a Mac store or whatever they call it to take a look...

One thing I wonder- I know that they *don't get viruses* but as Macs are more and more popular and taking up more and more of the market, aren't the hacker types writing viruses to target Macs? Or is it really not an issue? I'm so used to the layers of security you need with a PC (anti-virus software, firewalls, plus the remote access thingy for internet which I guess adds another layer of security)...

I guess I'd feel naked without some type of anti-virus program running...

[DCJenn]

Naked is good, Peggy.

and no- the keyboard is the standard QWERTY keyboard. No rolling of anything.

Jenn

[Thirteen]

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

Ditto!
I love my Mac Now, if only DF could make the switch...

[HouseofWool]

I'm a Mac in a PC body. WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!


(meaning, I'm stuck with PCs til I can afford a Mac in the next few years)

Me too - I really want a mac. I will just have to wait until we can afford it (in about 5 years!)

[bokelley]

I got my first MAC last year and love it!!! It is so much easier to use!! THe keyboard is pretty much the same, and I love all the cool widgets you can put on it. Right now is someone is a student you can get a MacBook and a FREE I-pod, that is what we did last year and my husband loves the I-Touch!! I agree with the statement, "once you go mac, you don't go back"!!!

[mommax3]

We have gotten two in the past year and will never go back. I still use a PC at work and don't have any trouble going back and forth between the two, and we also still have a piece of crap Dell laptop that isn't even two years old.....the amount of trouble we had with it is what precipitated our move to Mac world.

[peggyfromwastate]

I got my first MAC last year and love it!!! It is so much easier to use!! THe keyboard is pretty much the same, and I love all the cool widgets you can put on it. Right now is someone is a student you can get a MacBook and a FREE I-pod, that is what we did last year and my husband loves the I-Touch!! I agree with the statement, "once you go mac, you don't go back"!!!

We still qualify for this discount somehow-- I think through DH's residency program. I don't know if either one of us would use an ipod touch, though... Maybe DH...

[DCJenn]

Peggy-

You can get Macs at the PX/BX. No tax, baby. and they're still eligible for repairs/upgrades through the Apple store. (Rick's laptop got mangled in Iraq and I took it there for repairs- which was not even an issue for them)

Jenn